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Review: Bumped by Megan McCafferty

I know the premise of this book is something not to be taken lightly; I mean…teenagers being the only ones able to get pregnant or to impregnate? You know how high school athletes get courted by different colleges, and then they choose the best offer? In Melody’s world, that’s pretty much what happens to teenagers. If they meet certain physical and intelligence criteria, they get representation, like agents. They’re then offered contracts and go with the best offer. If you’re not lucky enough to get such representation, you can go always go “amateur” but of course, the payout will be nowhere near as good. Harmony’s world is a little less transactional. They believe in marrying and having babies, however, the marriages are arranged, so you don’t get to marry someone you love most of the time. Depressing, right?

Well…I thought this book was hilarious! No…of course not because of what I just described, but because the characters had some awesome lines! Is Megan McCafferty always this funny? I have not laughed out loud so much since reading Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan.

I had a very distinct picture of this world in my mind while I was reading it. Think of the movies Saved and Juno, with the setting of Minority Report and that’s what was in my head.

When I began reading Bumped, I was a little thrown for a loop with all the slang. I wasn’t really expecting it, but I’ve never been one to shy away from a book because of it. Pregging, negging, renegger, egging…some are more obvious than others and it takes reading them a couple of times to get it, but just stick with it. It doesn’t take long to catch on.

The book is told in alternating chapters between Melody and Harmony, which I always like in books. Out of the two sisters, I really liked Harmony best. Yes, she’s “godfreaky” and wants to save the world from sin, but she’s just trying to do what she thinks is right. Loving God and loving religion are, to me at least, two very different things and this is what she struggles with most throughout this book.

Melody, on the other hand, doesn’t have a problem going with the flow of her world. That is until her sister shows up and, thanks to a case of mistaken identity (or maybe stolen identity would describe it better…), she is forced to see what people around her truly care about.

Of the boys, Zen was definitely my favorite. He was charming, funny, caring and smart. Jondoe, on the other hand, I wanted to hate. He was so conceited! But then he would show his tender side and it would make me question what was real and what was an act. I need to know the truth, Jondoe!!! Then there’s Ram. I felt really bad for Ram. Poor guy! To keep this review Spoiler-free though, that’s all I will say about him.

Like I mentioned before, this book really made me laugh, but it also had some really tender moments. The tone is not as serious or heartbreaking as other Dystopian books I’ve read recently, but that’s why I liked that Bumped is different and totally plausible. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more about Melody and Harmony.

Book Info

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

From New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty comes a strikingly original look at friendship, love, and sisterhood—in a future that is eerily believable.

Amanda

Thank you for this great review! I had heard about this book before, and was intrigued, but the person who reviewed it previously didnt do a great job. I'm impressed by the amount of information you were able to give about this book without having any spoilers.

Anyway, I'm a new follower. Thanks for the great review, I'll be picking this book up next time I head to the book store (which will probably be today, because I practically live there)

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Some of the links in the posts above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Also, some books reviewed on Gone with the Words we received for free in the hope that we would mention them here on the blog and will be stated in Source area.